LEICESTER, Mass. - Becker College and Regis College split their New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) softball doubleheader Tuesday afternoon at Russell Field. The Hawks held on for a 4-2 victory in game one before the Pride took the nightcap, 13-2. The split moves Becker's record to 4-12 (3-1 NECC), while Regis slides to 4-13 (4-7 NECC.).
In game one, Becker jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Jessica Wheelahan (Watertown, Conn.) scored the first run of the game when Megan Bolduc (Dover, N.H.) drove an RBI single into left field. The Hawks plated two more runs when freshman Ashley Ciepiela (Adams, Mass.) drilled her first collegiate homerun over the left field fence.
The Pride got on the board in the top of the fourth. With two outs and a pair of runners in scoring position, Jenna Casello (Westborough, Mass.) singled up the middle, bringing home Katie Cuozzo (Lynn, Mass.) from third base.
In top of the sixth the Pride cut the Hawks lead to 3-2. Cuozzo led off the inning with a single through the left side of the infield. After two quick outs and a hit batter, Michaela NeJaime (Sandsfield, Mass.) singled to right, scoring pinch runner Angelica Arredondo (Merrimac, Mass.) from second base. Becker pitcher Kelsey Norberg (Uxbridge, Mass.) preserved the lead when she struck out Rachel DesRochers (Westford, Mass.) after a lengthy at bat with the bases loaded.
Becker responded with an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when Katherine DiMasico (Braintree, Mass.) singled to centerfield, scoring Bolduc with the Hawks fourth run of the ballgame.
Kelsey Norberg earned her fourth win of the season after allowing two earned runs, while striking out ten. Cuozzo suffered the loss, allowing four runs on six hits.
In game two, Regis jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the top of the first. After an error and a walk, Cuozzo loaded the bases with a single into left field. Rachel Tortora (Malden, Mass.) singled down the left field line, scoring Sam Bliss (Framingham, Mass.) and Kirbie Garvey (Littleton, Mass.) with the first runs of the game. Allison Caloggero (Medford, Mass.) capped off the inning when she singled home Katie Cuozzo to make the score 3-0.
Becker put a run on the board in the bottom half of the first on a Brouchu RBI single.
The Pride manufactured another run in the top of the second. Casello started things off with a one out single to left. After she stole second and advanced to third on a ground out, Garvey brought her home with a single up the middle to put Pride in front, 4-1.
Regis increased their lead to 6-1 in the third with DesRochers and Casello RBI singles.
The Hawks chipped away at the deficit in the bottom of the fourth when Brochu led off the inning with a solo homerun to centerfield.
The Pride padded their lead in the fifth with three more runs. After back to back walks to start the inning, Casello brought home both runners when she laced a double into left field. After a groundout moved Casello to third, she scampered home on a wild pitch to make the score 9-2.
Regis put the game out of reach in the top of the sixth when they scored four runs to enforce the mercy rule. Casello finished the game going three-for-five with three RBI and two runs scored. Caloggero chipped in with two hits and three runs scored.
Bliss earned her first win of the season after tossing six strong innings, allowing two runs on four hits, while fanning six. Ciepiela earned the loss in her first start of the season.
Both teams return to action on Thursday, April 10 with Becker hosting Mass. Maritime, while Regis travels to NECC rival Elms College. Both games are slated to start at 3:00 p.m.
Release courtesy of Becker Sports Information